Bernice Raedel

Ethel Bernice Raedel, (Bernice) daughter of Agnus and Arnold Hansen, has peacefully passed away Wednesday night Feb 21, 2024 at her home in Roswell Ga. She spent 96 years on this earth spreading love and positive energy to everyone she knew. Born on Norwegian Independence Day, May 17, 1927, Bernice was raised on the Fjords and in the city of Oslo, Norway. Her Norwegian strength and heritage, and her love for the outdoors, skiing, boating and the sea stayed with her for a lifetime. During WWI, her family hid in the mountains to escape the occupying force. After the war, Bernice graduated from the school of Mathematics and Engineering in Oslo. Bernice was particularly talented in mathematics and also considered being a Doctor someday because she wanted to help people. After the war her family moved back to the US and was living in Fox River Grove, IL. At that time she found a job working as a translator for the Norwegian Consulate in Chicago when she rode the computer train to work each day. It was on the train where she met her husband, Raymond Raedel, a handsome and debonair artist. Soon they were married and raised five wonderful children in Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights and Barrington Hills, IL until Ray retired and they moved to Florida in 1983. There Bernice and Ray spent most of their remaining years in Vero Beach, Florida. They say that a dear child has many names and Bernice was dearly loved by everyone. Each of her five children and nine grandchildren had their own sweet name for her: MomBee, Bambi and BeeBee. Her love for her family was truly extraordinary. She never complained and always had a smile, encouraging each of her children to take on anything they desire. She cared for others and shared her generosity with strangers. She spent many years as the Secretary of the Infant Welfare Society where she won the Angel Award for Infant Welfare. Beebee always spoke about how incredibly blessed she was to have five healthy children that all got along. And near the end of her life she would quote, “Let a smile be your umbrella”. Her unshakable positive attitude was as remarkable as it was inspiring. MomBee will also be remembered for her poise, beauty, elegance and style as she was always “put together”. Even covered in flour at the annual Cookie Day, where she continued to instill in each of us her strong Norwegian heritage and traditions. Bernice also leaves behind amazing memories of camping, fishing, baking, swimming, sewing dance costumes, music lessons and yes, shopping, with her five children; Alan (Denise) Raedel, Marilyn (Gary) Hildebrandt, Joyce-Raedel (Randy) Meinert), Bret (Diana) Raedel and Sherry Rae (Matt) Broyles. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren; Kari, Dana, Erik, Austin, Fritz, Rae, Francesca, Britta and Kristof and three Great grandchildren; Colin, Colton and Ryker. Services will be held at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075 on Sunday Mar 3, at 2:30 pm. The family invites friends and loved ones to a reception after at the home of Matt and Sherry Broyles, 265 Plantation Way, Roswell, GA 30075. Then she will be laid to rest next to her husband Ray at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Doctors Without Borders or The Susan B Komen Foundation.

Bernice Raedel

May 17, 1927 - February 21, 2024